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Canadian dairy giant Saputo has agreed a £975m deal to buy Cathedral City manufacturer Dairy Crest, new figures show M&A remained strong in 2018 despite economic concerns and the rest of the news from the City.

Pret CEO Clive Schlee said that he hoped the move would encourage more customers to bring in reusable cups, adding that the company was “amazed” at the increase in customers bringing in their own cups since the 50p discount was introduced.

Pret has also pledged to eliminate all unnecessary single-use plastic by 2025. As part of the commitment, it is rolling out paper straws, removing hot drink stoppers and teaspoons, and expanding china cups beyond the current 125 stores.

This comes as part of wider developments in reusable cups across the food to go sector.

Starbucks announced a £10m investment to accelerate the creation of a fully recyclable and compostable cup back in March.

Meanwhile, Whitbread head of sustainability James Pitcher told The Grocer earlier this month that Costa was looking at developing a range of new reusable cups, with news expected to emerge later this year.